This is an automatically translated article.
The article was consulted with Specialist Doctor I To Kim Sang - Internal Oncologist - Oncology Center - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.Cervical cancer is one of the most common gynecological diseases today. It is estimated that every 2 minutes in the world, a woman dies from cervical cancer. So what is cervical cancer? How important is cervical cancer screening? The following article will partly answer concerns and help women gain more knowledge to actively prevent disease for themselves as well as confidently in life.
1. What is cervical cancer?
Despite being a common disease, many women do not understand what cervical cancer is? The disease is caused by cells in the cervix that grow too much for the body. When these cells grow too quickly, a tumor is created.Cervical cancer has a great impact on health, especially fertility in women. However, now with the development of modern medicine, cervical cancer can be completely cured if detected early. To prevent and treat cervical cancer effectively, women should get the HPV vaccine and have regular cancer screening tests.
2. Common symptoms of cervical cancer
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is considered the leading cause of cervical cancer because more than 99% of cases are infected with this virus. However, not all cases of HPV infection cause cancer, but it requires a prolonged inflammatory process, thereby causing cellular changes leading to histological changes of the cervix, formation of lesions. precancerous lesions (eg, mild, moderate, severe metaplasia, carcinoma in situ) and invasive cancer. On average, the process from HPV infection to developing invasive cervical cancer takes 10 to 30 years.3. How long does cervical cancer develop?
Of all the current cancer diseases, cervical cancer is considered the cancer with the most obvious benefits from the prevention and early detection of the disease, increasing the possibility of cure and reducing the rate of cancer. death from disease.Two main ways to help prevent cervical cancer are to vaccinate against HPV virus infection for suitable subjects and to promote safe sex practices.
Because cervical cancer develops slowly from 10 to 30 years, it is extremely important to screen for cancer early, including those who have received the HPV vaccine. Currently, according to recommendations from major associations, the age to be screened is from 21 to 65 years old. Depending on each recommendation and the availability of each medical facility, the doctor can choose different screening methods, the most popular today is the Pap smear method. , HPV DNA testing, or a combination of both (also called Co-testing).
4. Early signs of cervical cancer
Changes in Urinary Habits Cervical cancer can lead to erratic changes in urination due to the anatomical position of the cervix and bladder and rectum next to each other. Specifically, the patient may have urinary incontinence when sneezing, exercising vigorously or urinating many times, painful urination. In case the cervical tumor is large and invades the lumen of the bladder or rectum, the patient may urinate, have blood in the stool or vice versa, the vagina may leak urine or feces.Body fatigue, sluggishness, unexplained weight loss The body is often tired, sluggish, unexplained weight loss is one of the warning signs of any cancer that people have should not be ignored.
Currently, with the development of modern medicine, cervical cancer can be completely cured if detected early. In particular, cervical cancer screening is the "key" to detect and provide effective treatment. Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the medical facilities that applies the automated system HPV genotype PCR test and transvaginal ultrasound of the uterus and ovaries. To prevent and detect disease early, women should take the initiative to go to the doctor and equip themselves with disease prevention knowledge to have a healthy life.
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